Just as Michael planned, after making such huge donations, the royal news printed his meeting with his holiness on the front page. The entire continent now knew about Ghost's friendly relationship with the Holy Church, which became another ally of Ghost. Since he made a 5 million donation and offered to send Holy Guards a batch of healing potions free every month, his holiness gladly gave access to the teleportation portal. Instead of walking into the portal right away, Michael went to meet King Kramer.
He would have walked to the castle if he hadn't reached the Fusion Stage. Since he was, Michel flew to the castle and landed right before the castle gates. As soon as his feet touched the ground, several armed guards rushed to the gates, thinking they were under attack.
"Relax, I am here to meet King Kramer," the soldiers did not loosen their bodies.
"Tell your king Ghost wants to see him,"
"Ghost?" the soldiers were startled. Although they hadn't seen him in person, they had all heard about him.
"I thought a Fusion Stage cultivator would receive a different welcome," Michael informed the soldiers about his cultivation stage in an indirect manner. It took the soldiers a few moments to realize the graveness of the matter. But before one of them could run back into the castle, a group of fancily dressed people approached the gates surrounded by several more armed soldiers.
The one who led the group was a middle-aged man with wavy shoulder-length silvery hair. He was neither too short nor too tall but rather had an average build. His thick mustache perfectly complemented his clean-shaven rosy skin. Just by looking at the silver robes and the golden crown on his face, Michael could tell who this man was.
"King Kramer," Michael greeted the king with a smile.
"Sorry to drop by unannounced. I was in the neighborhood and it'd be rude if I didn't come to meet you,"
"King Ghost," unexpectedly, it was the silvery-haired woman who greeted Michael instead of the king. To a man who saw countless heaven-defying beauties from both this universe and other universes, Michael wasn't startled by the queen's charm.
"Queen Imat I presume,"
The guards quickly opened the steel gate between the two parties as Michael stepped forward.
"Sorry for all this King Ghost,"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh please, call me Ghost. I insist,"
"As you wish," King Kramer finally opened his mouth and extended his arm to shake Michael's.
"Honour to finally meet you, King Kramer," Michael firmly shook his hand,
'"Please come inside," the queen welcomed Michael with a bright grin on her face.
"You must be the only king who doesn't like to be called king and surrounded by royal guards," the queen melodiously laughed while leading Michael to the majestic castle.
"What's the point of being a Fusion Stage cultivator when I have to surround myself with weaker guards?"
Now that the queen and king finally heard these words from his mouth, their legs stopped walking.
"You...you reached the Fusion Stage?" an old man carrying a thick book and a staff asked Michae in utter surprise.
"Yes. It's hard to believe right?"
Not only the old man but even the king and queen also stared at Michael with clear doubt in their eyes.
"I am pretty sure you have a mirror device to check the cultivation stage,"
"It's okay Ghost. We believe you," the queen brushed it off but Michael shook his head,
"I like to let everyone know that I reached Fusion Stage, Queen Imat," Michael whispered to her. Still, the others heard him.
"But can I ask why? Isn't it advantageous to keep your cultivation stage hidden?"
Apparently, the queen was more talkative than the King. But that didn't mean the king was weak. In fact, King Kramer was at Core strengthening stage level 10 while Queen Imat was just at Core Formation stage level 3.
"What's the point of reaching Fusion Stage if you can't show it off Queen Imat? Plus, I don't have to deal with the arrogant young masters and young misses riddling Elon," Michael chuckled. His words just mesmerized the queen and everyone around.
He didn't sound arrogant but domineering. Coupled with his young age, it was too hard for them to believe Ghost was a Fusion Stage cultivator.
"Make sense," King Kramer nodded as they finally reached the enormous throne hall.
"Bring the mirrors," King Kramer ordered the old man and waited for the servants to set up the sofas. After everything was said and done, Michael took the seat facing Queen Imat and King Kramer. Being a Fusion Stage cultivator felt great to Michael. Normally, one would have to wait for an audience with King Kramer but now, he entered the castle escorted by the king and queen themselves.
He used to feel slightly jealous of Lailah and Elder Kane but not anymore.
Quickly a maid approached Michael, slightly shivering from top to bottom.
"I will take any kind of fruit juice, please. No booze, thank you," Despite Michael's status and cultivation, he treated the maid with dignity. It was such a small gesture but his words to the maid surprised Queen Imat.
"So what's the true purpose of your visit here Ghost?" King Kramer asked after the maid left the throne hall. He also dismissed the soldiers except for a few royal guards who stood in the corner, watching the king and queen.
"I came to meet His Holiness and dropped by to meet the two of you because I was kinda hoping I could buy a piece of land in your kingdom,"
"Piece of land? That's wonderful. Royal land would be honored to gift you," Queen Imat said with an ear-to-ear grin as the King nodded.
"Freebies break friendships Queen Imat. So I was thinking I could name either of you as a shareholder of the majestic branch I will open here in Royal land. Is it possible? Sorry to be blunt but I was actually thinking it. In fact, I have the same proposal to the king of Dradel and Kethen too,"
"Really?" Queen Imat's voice trailed off as she looked to be in deep thought about Michael's offer. Of course, Michael knew they would accept it but they had to pretend to be thinking so they wouldn't look like power-hungry wolves. Regardless of their status as king and queen, they would still be wanting to be a part of something big as Majestic. Why? Because Ghost was a Fusion Stage cultivator and being an ally to a Fusion Stage cultivator came with countless benefits.
From Michael's perspective, he needed allies. By making them King Kramer and Queen Imat shareholders in the Majestic, they would not only become his allies but the Majestic would get the protection of the entire kingdom. Once the king and queen taste the benefits, Michael could reap more from the two of them.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I mean, just think about it. An outsider comes to your home and runs things without giving you any sort of tribute. It's not fair right? That's why I want the two of you to be a part of Majestic in Royal land,"
While they were talking, the old man who went to bring the mirror finally arrived at the hall with several other nobles. They all had one thing in common; curiosity.
The last time Michael saw the device was when he competed in the Elon tournament. Of course, the mirror before him looked a little smaller and lightweight. It was apparent to Michael that the guardians had made some modifications to the device. One single shout from the dormant Hydra, and they still hadn't recovered their ability to perceive someone else's cultivation level.
"Let's do this, shall we?" Michael rubbed his palms together excitedly before walking toward the mirror.
"We made some changes to the contraption Master Ghost. This one is specifically designed to check whether someone is at the Fusion Stage or not. I hope you don't mind it."
"Why would I?"
Michael just shrugged, placing his palm on the mirror. As soon as his palm touched the mirror, he felt a suction force and a warm sensation throughout his body. The mirror remained unmoving for a second before slowly starting to radiate a bright purple light from within.
"Fusion Stage," the old man mumbled under his breath.
"How am I doing?" Michael winked at the nobles as they stared at Michael in pure amazement. Michael was sure they would spread the news of his cultivation stage throughout the continent by tomorrow morning.
"We should agree, don't you think?" Queen Imat whispered to King Kramer.
"Hmm. It's always better to have allies," King Kramer nodded, agreeing with Queen Imat's words.
Now that Michael had finished proving himself, he returned to his seat.
"Well, King Kramer and Queen Imat," Michael looked at them for their answer,
"We will definitely consider it Ghost. There are some rules and regulations for us to own something. What about we give us your answer just say, tomorrow night?" Queen Imat asked, just as Michael predicted.
"Cool,"